Proper Placement of Mats to Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents

Floor mats are one of the most effective ways to prevent slip and fall accidents. However, if improperly selected or installed, the floor mat may actually contribute to a slip and fall accident.

Crown Matting Technologies, one of the oldest and largest matting manufacturers in the U.S., suggests the following ways to prevent this from happening:

Placement: Entry mats should be placed directly in front of building entries. If two or more mats are installed togethr, it is best that they touch each other; there should be no gaps, which could cause a trip or fall.

Smooth transitions: Be sure the mat makes a smooth transition to the floor. To do this, select mats that are tapered.

Rental mats: Very often rental mats are very thin mats. Thin mats typically are also very light, which means they may move around with foot traffic. Select a more stable, heavier mat. Typically, these mats are purchased.

Length: The Carpet and Rug Institute suggests that mats be at least six to 15 feet. We recommend 15 feet. This allows for five to six steps on the mat, which can remove as much as 80 percent of the soil and moisture on shoe bottoms.

Cleaning: Mats must be kept clean in order to perform effectively. At busy entries, they should be vacuumed throughout the day. Heavier, purchased mats will also need to be cleaned; the best way to do this is with a carpet extractor.

Storage: When storing mats, always place them flat on the ground. This protects the backing but more importantly, it helps ensure the mat will lie flat on the ground when installed. A mat that curls in any way could cause a slip or fall.

Finally, mats are often designed to work as a system. There are three different types of mats: wipers, wiper/scrapers, and scrapers. Working together, they are the most effective way to remove soil and moisture from shoe bottoms and promote safety.